U.N. initiates worldwide road safety initiative in the United States to cut fatalities in half

The global road safety campaign, launched by the United Nations in the United States, aims to reduce the number of road-related victims worldwide by 50% by 2030. U.N. Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, emphasized the importance of basic safety measures such as wearing seatbelts, helmets, and avoiding distractions like phones while driving.

The campaign, spanning over two years, will utilize JCDecaux billboards in more than 80 countries and 1,000 cities, including prominent locations like New York City, Chicago, and Boston. Jean-Luc Decaux, president of JCDecaux North America, highlighted the power of media in raising awareness and spreading the message of international road safety.

The #MakeASafetyStatement campaign is part of the U.N.’s New Decade of Action for Road Safety, a response to over 1 million annual road-related fatalities globally, with over 90% occurring in developing countries. The U.N. stresses the urgent need for collaboration between governments and the private sector to address what Todt calls a “silent pandemic.”

In the United States, road crashes are the second-leading cause of accidental deaths, following firearms. However, many of these deaths are preventable, according to the World Health Organization. The U.S. fatality rate is significantly higher than that of Europe, highlighting the need for increased road safety measures.

New York City’s Vision Zero traffic safety program, launched in 2014, has contributed to a 12% decrease in traffic deaths and a 45% decrease in pedestrian deaths from 2013 to 2023. The city’s efforts include the construction of bike lanes, installation of speed cameras, and establishment of school speed zones. Collaborative efforts with organizations like the United Nations and JCDecaux are seen as crucial in enhancing road safety initiatives.

The JCDecaux road safety campaign, featuring international celebrities like Michelle Yeoh, Novak Djokovic, and Kylie Minogue, first launched in Brussels, Belgium, before reaching countries like Mongolia and South Africa. The company may extend its partnership with the U.N. beyond the initial two-year campaign, underscoring the long-term commitment to promoting road safety awareness globally.